[wanabidii] Press Releases: Department of State Announces Global Connect Conference To Bridge Digital Divide

You are subscribed to Press Releases for U.S. Department of State. This information has recently been updated, and is now available. Press Releases: Department of State Announces Global Connect Conference To Bridge Digital Divide 12/16/2015 02:23 PM EST Department of State Announces Global Connect Conference To Bridge Digital Divide Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC December 16, 2015 As part of the Global Connect Initiative, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment Catherine Novelli announced on December 16, 2015 that the United States will host a high-level multi-stakeholder conference to help bridge the digital divide at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. The conference, which will be held on the margins of the World Bank/IMF meetings in April 2016, will bring together key stakeholders from governments, international organizations, development institutions, the private sector, and civil society with the goal of sharing best practices for expanding internet connectivity and identifying areas for cooperation. The Department of State continues to garner broad international support for its Global Connect Initiative, launched September 27 at an event on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. The goal of the Initiative is to bring an additional 1.5 billion people online by 2020. This multi-stakeholder effort also seeks to promote the idea that internet connectivity is as fundamental to economic development as roads, ports, electricity and other traditional infrastructure. Additionally, Global Connect supports the implementation of the recently adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the recently completed ten-year review of the World Summit on the Information Society. The conference in April will focus on building this momentum by working with partners in the hemisphere and around the world to expand internet connectivity and bridge the digital divide. For additional information or press requests, contact Ana Himelic himelica@state.gov or follow the Under Secretary on Twitter @CathyNovelli. The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affairs, manages this site as a portal for information from the U.S. State Department. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. Stay connected with the State Department:       External links found in this content or on Department of State websites that go to other non-Department websites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein.  Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Department of State. This email was sent to wanabidii@googlegroups.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Department of State · 2201 C Street NW · Washington, DC 20520